Managers, footballers, and other famous sports personalities have never shied away from making some borderline controversial comments about themselves or sports in general. Some of the comments made, at times, inspire colleagues, while others are just utterly bizarre and meant for gloating.
We have carefully selected some of the most outstanding quotes from your favorite sports icons. As you'll see, some of the quotes are borrowed from other writers but carefully twisted to serve their purpose. Can you put a name to some of these boastful and striking comments? It's time to test your mind and see just how many you can get right from the list!
This sports legend once described their love for their job, likening it to grass that grows, birds that fly, and waves that pound the sand. This boxing star said that it’s a job like any other where they beat people up. Who is this star?
Laila Ali; Mike Tyson; Muhammad Ali; Manny Pacquiao; 3
Ali, widely regarded as America’s greatest boxer, was good with words just as he was in the ring. He would often “beat” his opponents with mouthy and unapologetic words before the actual fight.
Sportsmen are known to push themselves at all costs to win. However, this sports manager pointed out that winning may not be everything, but the will to win is. Who do you think this manager is?
Paul Brown; Phil Jackson; Tom Landry; Vince Lombardi; 4
As much as this quote is attributed to Lombardi, he wasn’t the first to use it. The same quote is credited to Henry Russel “Red” Sanders, former UCLA Bruins football coach. He’s recorded as having used two versions of it.
In life, motivational speeches are meant to drive you to success. Who is this celebrated sports icon who stressed the need to never give up and that failure and rejection are the initial steps to success?
Jim Valvano; Wilt Chamberlain; Shaquille O'Neal; Bob Pettit; 1
As a celebrated college basketball player and coach, Valvano needed to keep his players inspired to dig in for success. He’s credited with other inspirational quotes as well, which strengthened the foundations of his successful career.
Which sports star said that excellence isn’t a singular act but a routine?
Bill Russell; Tom Brady; Shaquille O'Neal; Peyton Manning; 3
Sounds like something Aristotle said, right? Well, it kind of is. O’Neal said that he wanted to be known as "The Big Aristotle,” and made his own ouch to the philosopher’s saying. The original quote reads, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit."
This famous university coach once pointed out that it’s better to have one man who’s practicing sportsmanship than to have 50 people preaching it.
Knute Rockne; Robert Neyland; Frank Leahy; Ara Parseghian; 1
Three-time national championship winner, University of Notre Dame coach, and former American football player, Knute Rockne, is credited with this quote. He transformed the game by popularizing the backfield T-formation and the forward pass.
As a sportsperson, you need to keep your dreams alive. To achieve anything in life, you need to understand that you require faith and belief in your abilities, as well as hard work, vision, willpower, and commitment. In fact, you must remember that only those who believe find all things possible. Who said these words?
Serena Williams; Allyson Felix; Gail Devers; Megan Rapinoe; 3
Devers, a two-time Olympic winner for the U.S. in the 100 meters, dominated the track and field events in the ‘90s. This is one of the quotes that drove her to success, given that she was going through a health challenge at the height of her career.
In most sports, you either win, draw or lose. That being said, this sportsman said that whatever happens, you mustn’t give up or give in. Importantly, when you’re winning, you need to handle the win with dignity just like you do with the loss. Who said this?
Doug Williams; Michael Jordan; Simone Biles; Jackie Robinson; 1
Having been a player and coach, Williams knows the emotional rollercoaster that comes with losing and, of course, winning, all too well. His quote calls for sobriety in all situations, especially when things are going well for you lest you lose your dignity in the process.
The learning process requires you to open your two eyes and close your one mouth. This sports personality told kids about this if they truly wanted to learn. Who was the star?
Alexander Ovechkin ; Amanda Kessel; Maurice Richard; Gordie Howe; 4
Howe, nicknamed "Mr. Hockey," is a former ice hockey player considered to be the most complete, having become a 23-time NHL All-Star and holds the NHL record for played seasons. His 26 NHL seasons and several records set along the way makes him one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Who is this sports legend who once said that teamwork determines a team’s success? He also says that there’s no merit in having the most talented individuals who don’t play together for the greater good of the team.
Tony Hinkle; Babe Ruth; Erving Cook; LeBron James; 2
“The Sultan of Swat” as he was known, Ruth played for 22 seasons in the MLB as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and an outfielder for the New York Yankees between 1914 and 1935.
This sports star felt that they did too much for the team to the extent that they put the team on their back. Who’s the player?
Jerry Rice; Joe Montana; Greg Jennings; Jim Brown; 3
Greg Jennings is a 2022 Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame inductee who began his professional NFL career in 2006.
This legend talks of having missed many chances on the court, including countless possible game-winning shots. They say that they also failed a lot of times in their life, but that’s why they got their success. Who’s the legend?
Michael Jordan; Larry Bird; Magic Johnson; Dominique Wilkins; 1
Jordan has spoken publicly about missing over 9,000 basket shots, losing nearly 300 games, and missing game-winning shorts 26 times during his career.
Some athletes view the game differently, with this star comparing losing to kissing one's grandmother with their teeth out. Who’s this?
Rick Barry; George Gervin; George Brett; Jo Jo White; 3
George Brett played in the MLB between 1973 and 1993, and became a 13-time All-Star and winning a Gold Glove Award in 1985.
Which sports star refused to be called a recluse but seemed not bothered by being referred to as a violator?
Oscar De La Hoya; Bernard Hopkins; Roy Jones Jr.; Mike Tyson; 4
Nicknamed "The Baddest Man on the Planet," Tyson was known to pack heavy punches that would produce about 1,178 lb-ft of force.
Which former successful player said that they learned that if you want to badly succeed, no matter how difficult things are, you will still make it in life?
Corey Simon; Gale Sayers; Brian Piccolo; Charles Woodson; 2
Gale Sayers, who died in September 2020, had a stellar and trophy-laden career in the NFL, playing both as a halfback and a return specialist. He spent his entire NFL professional career playing for the Chicago Bears between 1965 and 1971.
If any player was ever forgetful of why they play, this retired player and coach would have reminded them that they play to win, and nothing more, nothing less. Who’s the coach?
Buddy Ryan; Joe Pisarcik; Herman Edwards Jr.; Patricia Palinkas; 3
Edwards Jr. is the Arizona State head coach, having played professionally in the NFL as a cornerback. He’s fondly known for scoring the game-winning touchdown in the Miracle at the Meadowlands in 1978.
Who is this former player and manager who likened statistics to bikinis? That they show a lot, but not everything.
Lou Piniella; Manny Acta; Buster Narum; John Gelnar; 1
Three-time World Series champion Lou Piniella played in the MLB professionally for four different teams between 1964 and 1984. He's also a three-time Manager of the Year, coaching the same game.
This retired sports legend said that people miss 100 percent of the shots they don’t take in life. Who said this?
Conn Smythe; Tom McCarthy; Hayley Wickenheiser; Wayne Gretzky; 4
Nicknamed "the Great One," Wayne Gretzky blazed the ice hockey game as a player between 1979 and 1999 and as a coach. He holds the NHL goal-scoring, point-scoring, and he also assists producer records.
A man’s determination is what makes something either impossible or possible. Who said these words?
Bill Plaschke; Tommy Lasorda; Wally Burnette; Mike Piazza; 2
The 1997 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee as a manager, Tommy Lasorda, blazed the MLB from 1976 through to 1996 as the Los Angeles Dodgers manager. He was one of the best professional baseball pitchers by, winning several accolades in the process.
Who is the legend of the sport that said you shouldn’t measure yourself by what you’ve achieved but by what your abilities should have accomplished?
John Wooden; Fuzzy Vandivier; Clarence Walker; Candace Parker; 1
Former basketball player and coach John Wooden has an envious record of winning ten NCAA national championships in 12 years. The "Wizard of Westwood" had a record of seven wins in a row during that period.
To be the best, you have to beat the best; so to be man means to beat the man. Who said these words?
John Cena; Dusty Rhodes; Ric Flair; Vince McMahon; 3
Ric Flair is a legendary professional wrestler best known for his time with the WWF, before it became the WWE. He appeared for other wrestling promotions like JCP, WCW, and TNA, winning several titles along the way.
This sports legend said that the will to win doesn’t matter since everyone has it, but the will to prepare to win is what’s important. Who said these words?
Bud Wilkinson; Paul "Bear" Bryant; Frank Thomas; John David Crow; 2
Many people consider Paul "Bear" Bryant the greatest college football coach ever, having won 13 conferences and six national championships. He is best known as the University of Alabama football team's head coach.
Which sports personality said the opponent was who they thought they were?
Jim Fassel; Jack Harbaugh; Dennis Green; Fritz Pollard; 3
Former American football coach Dennis Green coached the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL for ten seasons. He led the team to eight playoffs in nine years even though he had seven different starting quarterbacks. Green was a posthumous Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor inductee in 2018.
Who's this legend of the sport who once said that their favorite part of the game is the opportunity to play?
Mike Singletary; Roger Staubach; Mike Nolan; Buddy Ryan; 1
Known as "Samurai Mike," Michael Singletary played for the Chicago Bears in the NFL between 1981 and 1992. The professional football coach won several individual and team accolades during his playing days.
Alluding to his experiences in the sport where this star excelled, they said that failure can be changed to extraordinary achievement through persistence. Who said this?
Michael Phelps; Pablo Morales; Matt Biondi; Anthony Nesty; 3
Matt Biondi excelled in the pools as a sensational swimmer, winning eleven Olympic medals in the process. He held former world records in five swimming events that included individual 50-meter freestyle, three relay events, and 100-meter freestyle.
This famous player understood that kids look up to his success, so he stated that he had to show the kids not just how to be like the player, but also how to be like a man. Who was the legend that said this?
Diego Maradona; Pele; Cristiano Ronaldo; Zlatan Ibrahimovic; 2
Arguably one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Pele was labeled "the greatest" by FIFA. He's one of the 20th century's most popular and successful soccer players.
Known to be highly competitive, going by their numerous accolades, this sports icon said that whoever said losing or winning doesn’t really count, likely lost. Who is the sports icon?
Martina Hingis; Serena Williams; Helga Masthoff; Martina Navratilova; 4
Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, epitomizes an Open Era tennis player. She's won ten major mixed doubles and 31 major women's doubles tennis titles.
Using a famous quote to describe a player's fierceness rather than their physical size, this sports legend said that it’s not the size of the dog that matters, but the fight in the dog. Who's this star who emphasized the importance of psychological attitudes?
Archie Griffin; Jonathan Taylor; Brian Cushing; Magic Johnson; 1
Considered one of the greatest college footballers of all time, Archie Griffin played for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL for seven seasons as a running back. He borrowed heavily from Mark Twain’s quote that served to drive the inner fierceness of people to tackle even bigger tasks.
Known to be a beast at their game, this icon does not really say much and they just simply let their racket do the talking. Who’s the icon?
Roger Federer; Bernard Tomic; John McEnroe; Rafael Nadal; 3
Unarguably the master of shot-making and volleying tennis skills, John McEnroe ruled the courts, becoming world number one in singles and doubles. He retired with 77 men’s singles and 78 men’s doubles titles.
Who's the celebrated coach and executive who gave two options to commitment? That you're either in or out and that life in-between doesn't exist.
Paul Westhead; Pat Riley; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Leon Riley; 2
Pat Riley is one of the few sports personalities in NBA history to have won the championship as a player, assistant coach, coach, and executive. He has won several individuals and team accolades over the years.
Perhaps too good at their sport, this icon once said that the game they play and physical intimacy are the only two things one can enjoy without having to be good at them. Who was the icon who said this?
Tiger Woods; Rory McIlroy; Jimmy Demaret; Jack Burke Jr.; 3
Having won 31 PGA Tour events, it’s understandable why Jimmy Demaret felt that golf and physical intimacy needed no extra effort to make yourself enjoy them. He was the first person to win three Masters titles.
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